England lose on penalties night of drama

To Turin, Wembley and St Etienne we can now add Lisbon. The Portuguese capital last night joined the list of venues where England have been defeated on penalties in a major football championship when David Beckham's side crashed out of Euro 2004, assassinated from 12 yards by Portugal after an enthralling 2-2 draw.

Goalkeeper Ricardo was the hosts' hero, saving England's seventh penalty from Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell and then picking himself up to thump the winning spot-kick past his opposite number David James to complete a 6-5 victory.

Captain Beckham had scuffed England's first penalty over the bar, his third consecutive miss for his country.

Defeat came after a night of fluctuating fortunes. England lead for most of normal time through a third minute Michael Owen goal only to be pegged back by a header from Helder Postiga , no more than a squad player at Tottenham Hotspur, in the 83rd minute.

They fell behind to a spectacular Rui Costa drive with just 10 minutes remaining in extra-time only for Frank Lampard to equalise in the 114th minute and prompt the cruel set-piece drama of penalties.

As the home fans surged away from the Estadio da Luz to begin perhaps the biggest party in the capital's history, England's 30,000 strong army of supporters were left to rue another missed opportunity at the highest level.

In the 38 years since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup England have been eliminated on penalties in two World Cups and a European Championship. Last night's exit will be no easier to take than the others, either for the players or for a nation famished for success.

The involvement of Wayne Rooney, the new England star, ended after 27 minutes with foot injury, but he at least will have chances to atone for this defeat. Whether the same can be said for coach Sven-Goran Eriksson remains to be seen.

The Swede has never silenced those critics offended by his nationality, and the recriminations will be fierce following this defeat.

Eriksson's England have lost three times in competitive matches, and in each game - against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, France 12 days ago and Portugal last night - they have surrendered a lead.

Sacking Eriksson will not be easy or cheap. He has the support of the players and signed a four-year contract worth £3m a year in April.

Last night Eriksson said that he had no intention of resigning, leaving the question, like his player's ambitions, for another day.